Award Abstract # 2135173
Imidazolium Functionalized Transition Metal Phosphide Catalysts for Electrochemical Carbon dioxide Conversion to Ethanol

NSF Org: CBET
Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
Recipient: ILLINOIS INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY
Initial Amendment Date: January 21, 2022
Latest Amendment Date: April 16, 2024
Award Number: 2135173
Award Instrument: Standard Grant
Program Manager: Bert Chandler
bchandle@nsf.gov
 (703)292-7104
CBET
 Division of Chemical, Bioengineering, Environmental, and Transport Systems
ENG
 Directorate for Engineering
Start Date: February 1, 2022
End Date: January 31, 2025 (Estimated)
Total Intended Award Amount: $546,868.00
Total Awarded Amount to Date: $597,868.00
Funds Obligated to Date: FY 2022 = $546,868.00
FY 2024 = $51,000.00
History of Investigator:
  • Mohammad Asadi (Principal Investigator)
    masadi1@iit.edu
  • Carlo Segre (Co-Principal Investigator)
Recipient Sponsored Research Office: Illinois Institute of Technology
10 W 35TH ST
CHICAGO
IL  US  60616-3717
(312)567-3035
Sponsor Congressional District: 01
Primary Place of Performance: Illinois Institute of Technology
10 West 35th Street
Chicago
IL  US  60616-3717
Primary Place of Performance
Congressional District:
01
Unique Entity Identifier (UEI): E2NDENMDUEG8
Parent UEI:
NSF Program(s): Catalysis
Primary Program Source: 01002425DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
01002223DB NSF RESEARCH & RELATED ACTIVIT
Program Reference Code(s): 7619
Program Element Code(s): 140100
Award Agency Code: 4900
Fund Agency Code: 4900
Assistance Listing Number(s): 47.041

ABSTRACT

Electrochemical reaction is a promising technology for converting the waste greenhouse gas, carbon dioxide (CO2), to valuable chemical products. When powered by sustainable electricity from sources such as wind power or solar energy, electrochemical CO2 reduction reaction (eCO2RR) technology potentially offers a negative carbon emission route to chemical manufacturing. Current eCO2RR technology is limited, however, by dependence on expensive noble metal catalyst materials, energy losses in the electrocatalytic reactions, inefficient conversion of CO2 to targeted products, and low rates of CO2 capture and transfer to the working catalyst surface. The project addresses those technology gaps through research aimed at developing an effective catalytic system based on a low-cost transition metal phosphide (TMPs) class of materials modified with a chemical compound (imidazolium (Im)) that enhances the transfer of CO2 to the catalyst surface. Together the two components promote the capture and conversion of waste CO2 to ethanol for use in downstream fuel and chemical applications. Beyond the technical aspects, the project supports educational and research programs educating future leaders in technology related to clean energy and sustainability.

The project is built on the hypothesis that imidazolium-functionalized TMP catalysts can tailor the electronic properties of surface metal atoms to promote carbon-carbon coupling for high rate ethanol production. The project employs a systematic approach, combining experimental and computational studies to design and validate different components of the Im-TMP catalytic system, and to identify key factors that play crucial roles in activity, selectivity, and stability of the proposed catalytic system. The project exploits existing collaborative relationships with the aim of establishing a novel catalytic system for electrosynthesis of ethanol from CO2 through directed experimental efforts in electrochemical testing and analysis. Various nanostructured TMP nanoparticles, with stoichiometry of MP (M: transition metal)and their Im-functionalized structure, will be characterized and evaluated. The materials combinations are selected based on preliminary results from the investigators? research showing that imidazolium-functionalized molybdenum phosphide (Im-MoP) nanoparticles work as a unified system to produce ethanol. Crucial to the goal of this project, is the combination of cutting edge in-situ, ex-situ, atomic- and molecular-scale experiments with DFT calculations that will be performed to identify electronic and structural properties of TMP surface atoms and their interactions with imidazolium. This information will be utilized to develop electronic?structural?performance relationships of the Im-TMP catalysts. The insights gained from the research will establish new methods for the development of advanced materials for other common electrocatalytic processes, such as nitrogen fixation, and the oxygen reduction and oxygen evolution reactions, where functionalizing the surface of catalysts with organic molecules may show similar benefits. From the educational and outreach perspectives, the project will interface with the joint initiatives Program for Undergraduate Research Education (PURE) on the investigators? campus. Additionally, the investigators will collaborate with Elizabeth City State University, a HBCU and public baccalaureate institution, to bring knowledge related to materials design, synthesis, and characterization for various electrochemical applications and provide research opportunities for students coming from under-represented groups, encouraging them to pursue advanced degrees in energy sciences. The project will also provide hands-on research opportunities to underrepresented groups of high-school students from regional Chicago schools through an immersive summer research experience.

This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.

PUBLICATIONS PRODUCED AS A RESULT OF THIS RESEARCH

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Esmaeilirad, Mohammadreza and Jiang, Zhen and Harzandi, Ahmad M. and Kondori, Alireza and Tamadoni Saray, Mahmoud and Segre, Carlo U. and Shahbazian-Yassar, Reza and Rappe, Andrew M. and Asadi, Mohammad "Imidazolium-functionalized Mo3P nanoparticles with an ionomer coating for electrocatalytic reduction of CO2 to propane" Nature Energy , v.8 , 2023 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41560-023-01314-8 Citation Details
Esmaeilirad, Mohammadreza and Kondori, Alireza and Shan, Nannan and Saray, Mahmoud Tamadoni and Sarkar, Sreya and Harzandi, Ahmad M. and Megaridis, Constantine M. and Shahbazian-Yassar, Reza and Curtiss, Larry A. and Segre, Carlo U. and Asadi, Mohammad "Efficient electrocatalytic conversion of CO2 to ethanol enabled by imidazolium-functionalized ionomer confined molybdenum phosphide" Applied Catalysis B: Environmental , v.317 , 2022 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.apcatb.2022.121681 Citation Details

PROJECT OUTCOMES REPORT

Disclaimer

This Project Outcomes Report for the General Public is displayed verbatim as submitted by the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award. Any opinions, findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this Report are those of the PI and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Science Foundation; NSF has not approved or endorsed its content.

The project focused on the development and application of functionalized transition metal phosphide (TMP) catalysts for the electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide into valuable products. It has made significant contributions across several areas:

  • Intellectual Merit: It advanced fundamental understanding in catalysis science by elucidating how functionalized TMP surfaces interact with CO₂ molecules and reaction intermediates at the atomic and molecular level. It contributed new insights into structure–activity relationships, surface electronic properties, and active site configurations that enhance CO₂ reduction performance. These findings have expanded the knowledge base in surface chemistry and electrocatalysis.

  • Broader Impacts: The project provided hands-on experience for three PhD students who gained expertise in catalyst synthesis, advanced characterization techniques (including in-situ spectroscopy and microscopy), and electrochemical testing. Their education included interdisciplinary approaches, preparing them for careers in catalysis, materials engineering, and sustainability research. The project also created new course materials and training modules, enriching the educational experience for a broader audience.

  • Infrastructure: The project led to the development of shared laboratory and data resources, including electrochemical testing systems and advanced data analysis workflows, supporting a more robust infrastructure for future electrocatalysis research.

  • Follow-up Funding: Building on these promising results, the team secured additional funding to scale up the technology for pilot demonstrations, strengthening its potential for industrial applications and real-world impact.

  • Societal and Technological Impact: By demonstrating more efficient CO₂ conversion to valuable products, the project contributes to the advancement of synthetic e-chemicals and fuels manufacturing and carbon utilization strategies. These outcomes have direct implications for climate change mitigation and the development of sustainable energy and chemical industries.

Overall, the project has strengthened the scientific foundation and infrastructure in catalysis and electrocatalysis, enhanced workforce training and professional development, and positioned the institution as a leader in research that supports the US sustainability and carbon management efforts.

Additionally, by enabling more efficient and sustainable conversion of carbon dioxide to value-added products, this technology has the potential to enhance U.S. energy security by diversifying domestic energy sources and reducing reliance on imported fossil fuels.

 


Last Modified: 06/02/2025
Modified by: Mohammad Asadi

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